Plumbing, Technical Articles

Are you WRAS approved? Why it benefits plumbers to understand the role of Water Regulations

Julie Spinks – Managing Director of WRAS – explains the confusion that exists around WRAS Approval for plumbers – and why it is of benefit to understand the role of the Water Regulations.

Many plumbers think of themselves as WRAS approved – but, unfortunately, the reality is very different. It is a common misconception that plumbers can be WRAS Approved. This is mainly due to the fact that they have completed a course in the Water Regulations which has been endorsed by WRAS.

Entry requirements

The Water Industry operates Approved Contractors’ Schemes, and the entry requirements for plumbers to join these are a qualification in a trade-related plumbing discipline (e.g. NVQ), and a Certificate in Water Regulations Knowledge. The endorsement by WRAS means that the Certificate in Water Regulations Knowledge can be accepted for membership of an Approved Contractors’ Scheme.

WRAS used to allow the Certification Bodies with endorsed courses to use the WRAS logo on the Certificates – hence the “WRAS Approved” confusion.

However, WRAS stopped allowing the use of its logo some years ago in the hope of removing any confusion – but just because a certificate doesn’t have the WRAS logo on it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been endorsed by WRAS.

Qualified plumbers who have a certificate in Water Regulations can gain recognition by joining one of the seven Approved Contractors’ Schemes operating under WaterSafe.

Approved Contractors’ Schemes There are four water industry schemes, run by or on behalf of water companies:

There are also three trade associations that operate Approved Contractors’ Schemes under WaterSafe – APHC and CIPHE in England and Wales, and The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The national register for approved plumbers

It’s important to remember that WaterSafe is the national register for approved plumbers – the place all water companies refer any of their customers who are looking for a local approved plumber. Once a plumber has joined one of the seven Approved Contractors’ Schemes, membership of WaterSafe is a free additional benefit.

The next step is to identify the appropriate scheme. Plumbers who are existing members of one of the trade associations (APHC, CIPHE or SNIPEF) can contact them for more information.

Alternatively, it is possible to contact the Water Industry Scheme that operates locally.

To demonstrate professionalism and commitment, it is a requirement to issue customers with a certificate for all work done, and be available for audit – either by the trade association (APHC, CIPHE or SNIPEF) or by the local water company (if a member of an Approved Contractors’ Scheme run by that water company).

Fitting approval

It is important to remember that no person can be WRAS Approved. WRAS Approval is for fittings and materials that comply with the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws in Scotland. This could be any fitting used in a water system connected to the public mains water supply. Anything from pipes, fittings, valves and taps to boilers, showers, etc.

Regulation 4 requires a fitting to be of a suitable quality and standard – WRAS Approval is one way of demonstrating this.

Fittings undergo a series of mechanical performance tests, and materials undergo water quality testing.

While it is not mandatory to use WRAS Approved fittings, it must be possible to demonstrate that a fitting complies with the requirements of the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws – helping ensure it will not contaminate, waste, misuse or unduly consume water.

This compliance must be demonstrated by anyone who installs a water fitting in the first instance, and then any person who continues to use those fittings. Basically, the installer needs to ensure any fitting installed complies with the Water Regulations and Byelaws.

The Water Regulations and Byelaws are there to protect public health by ensuring the water supplied does not become contaminated, or is misused in any way that could result in someone becoming ill.

Each year, the Chief Inspector for the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) issues a report into water quality. In 2015, 30% of failures reported in England were due to customers’ domestic plumbing systems.

Further Info

The WRAS website is full of useful information and resources, including publications, water regulation interpretations, the WRAS Approval directory for approved fittings, and much more. There is also a wealth of helpful information on the local water company websites.